COMBINATION CAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8186, 30 July 1912, Page 1

COMBINATION CAR.

MEN SAY IT IS UNSAFE RECENT FATALITIES AND ACCIDENTS. The combination pattern of car in use on tho Wellington tramways was criticised yesterday morning at tho inquest which was opened regarding tho death of Ambrose McKay, tram conductor, aged 27 years (late of tho Cameron Highlanders, with whom he served in South Africa), who succumbed to injuries received through falling off combination car No. 42 on Friday night.

Mr A, W. Blair, who appeared for the deceased’s relatives and the Tramway Men’s Union, said that ho would like to call evidence on behalf of the union to show the number of men who had been killed or injured on this particular class of car, which Parliament had aimed at in what was known as the “Davey” clause. The men were very much afraid of the possibility of that clause being repealed. Apparently in the present case, the conductor foil off ■ the car owing to the insecurity of the | footboard. Ho wished to emphasise what was considered a difficulty in the cars. Accidents had happened by reason of alterations having been made in the steps, in the level of the conductor’s portion of the car and the footboard. _ Albert Gore Ward, motorman, with eight years’ experience in the Wellington tramway service, stated that there were differences between combination cars 41 and 42 and tho other types, though all 1 were of the same pattern. ■The running board was narrower, while tho little back step was lower than tho running' board. Stopping from one to tho other, a conductor was liable to trip. In answer to Dr McArthur, coroner, the witness said he was telling what he knew and what other conductors had told him. The ordinary size of The step was 8 inches, but on cars 41 and 42 it was only C inches. These !were tho only cars, when first built, that could not negotiate Veitch and Allan’s corner while passing each other. Another difference was that the grips on these cars were too far apart. Last Saturday evening a conductor came off car 41 through having to get round a passenger’s umbrella that was standing in the passage way. Mr Blair produced a list of men who had been injured through falling off this class of car, and questioned the witness .On the point. Mr O’Shea, city solicitor, asked witness whether tho list was compiled by himself? *

The witness replied that the list was not made up from his own experience, but from. information obtained from .men in the service,

Mr O’Shea suggested that they were getting into very debatable matters. Dr McArthur said he could see that. The evidence raised the question of the construction of the cars. Mr Blair reminded the coroner that this was part of the inquiry. The man had met his death from the running board.

Mr O’Shea said he knew of certain cases where men had met with accidents, but in some instances this was due to organic weakness. Mr Blair stated that he could call at least thirteen conductors who could all depose to having mot with accidents. They could show by calling the conductors and motormen themselves that there had been fifty or sixty accidents caused by this class of car.

Dr McArthur: Tho tramway authorities are not present, ana this evidence is somewhat in tho nature of a surprise. _ It would extend tho inquiry indefinitely. Mr O’Shea submitted that the men should complain to the authorities themselves. This was not a matter for the coroner.

Mr Blair said they did not suggest that there was any blame attachable to any particular person, but they wished to call evidence to show that these cars were dangerous. . Dr McArthur admitted that it was part and parcel of the inquest, but he did not think they should take it on a surprise like that. It was agreed to adjourn the inquiry to Monday next. Counsel will in the meantime send to the city solicitor infpnnation regarding accidents attributed to the combination cars and to other oars.